The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-30
GRANT IN PEACE.


Fish was the one member Of the Cabinet who |
served during the entire eight years that Grant |
was President. He entered the administration |
on the 11th of March, 1862 and remained until |
March, 1877, even delaying a few days under
Hayes. He was not Grants original choice for
Secretary of State, but before Washburne's
brief term was over. when Wilson declined to
take the post and it was discovered that Stewart
of Now York, was ineligible to the Treasury, the
President appealed to Fish to help him out of his
dilemma.
From the day of his election, he wrote, ne had
determined to offer Fish the appointment OF
Minister to England but in the Encouragement
OF his Cabinet that was unavoidable he
invited the Ex-Governor and Senator to ac-
cept the position of Secretary of State Fish
promptly declined the proposition. He had been
requested to telegraph his answer, and did so, of
course but he also wrote, posting the letter with
bis own hands, because Of its importance. On
his return to his house he was met by telegram
announcing his nomination and confirmation
Secretary of State. Grant had not waited for
his refusal The dispatch requested Fish not to
reply, but to await the arrival of Colonel Bah
cock, who was bearer of personal message from
the President.
Babcock arrived the same day, with instruc-
tions to urge the acceptance of the post. Still
Fish hesitated, or, rather, refused, until finally
Babcock commune ated a confidential message
from the President, which he had been ordered
to for final effort. Upon the receipt of
this, Fish consented TO 60 on for while to
Washington.
Grant, at this crisis was more than glad to
have Fish enter his Cabinet; and no man had
moro permanent influence with him in all his
public policy than the Secretary of State, but 1t
Is nevertheless true that when the offer was
made Grant had net so high appreciation OF
Fish's ability as he afterward acquired. He was
not then familiar with the personal political his
tory OF lis time; he knew little Of the career O.
civilians who had not held the highest national
positions. Fish had been twelve years out of
the public service, longer period
than Grant himself had been of Importance
He selected Fish rather account of
his character and private position than because
he knew him for man of frst-rate capacity.
He confessed to me more than once that he was
surprised at the quality and calihre of Fishs
ability; not only at his judgment and energy
but his downright power to deal with men and
affairs But when Grants public career was
over he looked upon Fish the ablest Of the
men who had entered his Cabinet, and worthy
to stand in the line with any of his predecessors
in the State Department.
There were certain traits which the two pos
sessed in common-a natural plainness, almost
ruggedness of character, in Fishs case doubt
less inherited from his Dutch ancestors, and not
entirely softened by conrtly associates or innate
breeding stubbornness of disposition that was
aggravated by opposition, and an unforgivng
temperament when affronts became personal,
for each resented insults not only quicker but
longer than injuries. But besides, and more
than all three, was in each unwlingness, il
not an inability, to expose in manner words
the warm regard that lay beneath an undemon
htrative exterior; this gave them, doubt not
an underlined fellowship of feeling and yet threw
d certain constraint about their intimacy. They
knew and liked each other better I believe, thar
either ever said to the other. But such natures
understand and appreciate, perhaps, well a
If they expressed
Two grave questions were at opce.preSented t.
the State Department-the English and thu
Cuban. The story of the English mbroglo, th
quarrel with Motley and Summer, in which Fisl
fully sympathized with Grant; the treaty o
Washington and the arbitration at Geneva-al
profoundly interested the Secretary of State
aud all the adjustments was left to him. Gran
approved at last of every step that was taken
though ometmes he required to be convinced
but he was in accord with Fish at every critica
moment, In the personal phases of the contro
versy the feelings of both became enlisted. an
they were brought into closer relations becaus
they received and repealed the same assaults
.
very strongly for those who shared his dangers
and Fish was sturdly loyal. Even when Gran
determined on course that Fish would not pei
haps have advised, the Secretary stanchly SUI
ported his chief, not, OF course, against his d.
Seloped convictions, but sometimes without an.
tpersonal interest of his own.
The Cuban designs however he fought fror
the beginning Rawlins very anxious
take sides with the creoles in their struggle f
independence, and others of the Cabinet 10
lowed his lead. He hoped for the eventual a,
nexation of Cuba by the United States and di
Everything in his power to precipitate steps tn;
could not be reversed. He was even willing
risk the possibility Of war with Spain, but Fis
thought lad too recently emerged from
contest at home to engage i'll another abroa
He was not averse to acquiring Cuba und
other circumstances, as shall show but he q
not want the island at the expense of war. e
pecially at this time He therefore frowne
upon all attempts to aid the insurgents. Graz
at first leaned very strongly to the views
Rawlins, and there many of the Presiden,
friends and advisers who concurred with Il
Secretary of War; At time the issl
was almost decided in favor of Rawlins, but ii
development Of the English question gave Fish
powerful argument. He urged that with troub
on our hands with Spain, could not possbl
deal frankly and fearlessly with England; tn
the claims against England were the result
our own war and should be settled definitely l.
fore We turned to the acquisition of further tie
ftory at the price that Cuba would then newt
tly cost. This view one that would be a
TO affect Grant, and Fish thought that it CO
WINGED him, as it certainly did one or two of Il
Cabinet; and just when the cogency Of the arg
meut was felt by the President, Rawns die
HIS manila as thu friend of Cuba fell OIL